Frequently asked questions

Straight answers about privacy, how matching works, and how jobs move through our community from search request to award.

Who sees my CAD files and search requests?: Only the shops we’ve matched to your project. Nothing goes on a public job board or blast list — your files stay private until you choose to share them.
How does matching work?: We look at the shop’s equipment, materials, past work, and current capacity. The goal is to connect your job with shops that can actually take it on right now, not just the ones who respond fastest.
Do I have to award every search request?: No. Compare quotes and move forward only when you’re comfortable with pricing, lead time, and shop fit. There’s no pressure to commit.
What if a supplier ghosts or misses a date?: We keep an eye on activity in your workspace. If something goes sideways, we step in — whether that means nudging the shop or bringing in another one from the community.
How do suppliers get paid?: Once you award a winner, you pay the shop directly on whatever terms you agree to together. We don’t sit in the middle of payments.
What kind of shops are in the community?: Small, owner-operated machine shops and fabricators across the U.S. Every shop is vetted for equipment, capacity, and reliability before they start receiving work through Zartman.